Vertigo (Wand album)

Vertigo
Vertigo
Studio album by Wand
Released	July 26, 2024
Length	39:49
Label	Drag City
Wand chronology

Vertigo is a 2024 studio album by American psychedelic rock band Wand, released by Drag City.

Background

On May 7, 2024, Wand announced the release of their new studio album, along with the first single "Smile".^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	84/100^[2]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[3]
Under the Radar	8.5/10^[4]

Vertigo was met with "universal acclaim" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 84 based on five reviews.^[2]

Bill Pearis of BrooklynVegan called the music on Vertigo unlike the band's previous releases, being their "most expansive, subtle and varied record yet and a bit of a swerve from 2019's flashy knockout Laughing Matter".^[5] A review of lead single "Smile" called this album their most ambitious yet and "a noir-tinged record looming with tension, theatrical elevation, and lush orchestration".^[6] Editors at Stereogum chose this for Album of the Week, with critic Chris DeVille, writing that this release "leans into the ensemble element by building its songs out of the best parts of jam sessions", resulting in "a set of patient yet explosive guitar-powered epics that reaffirm Wand's stature as one of underground rock's hidden treasures".^[7]

Track listing

"Hangman" – 5:34
"Curtain Call" – 3:29
"Mistletoe" – 5:08
"JJ" – 4:06
"Smile" – 6:29
"Lifeboat" – 4:30
"High Time" – 7:02
"Seaweed Head" – 3:31

Personnel

Wand

Evan Backer – bass guitar, arrangement,^[7] mixing
Evan Burrows – drums, mixing
Robert Cody – guitar, recording, mixing
Cory Hanson – guitar, vocals, mixing

Additional personnel

Heba Kadry – audio mastering
John Divola – cover photo

Charts

Chart performance for *Vertigo*
Chart (2024)	Peak position
UK Album Downloads (OCC)^[8]	91
UK Independent Albums (OCC)^[9]	50

References

^ Breihan, Tom (May 7, 2024). "Wand Announce New Album". Stereogum. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Vertigo by Wand Review". Metacritic. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
^ Thomas, Fred. "Vertigo - Wand". AllMusic. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
^ Gardner, Daniel (July 25, 2024). "Wand: Vertigo (Drag City) - Review". Under the Radar. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
^ Pearis, Bill (July 19, 2024). "Wand previewed new album 'Vertigo' at Bowery Ballroom". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
^ "Wand Returns with Ambitious New Album 'Vertigo' Out 7/26 – Shares Crushing New Single "Smile"". News. Glide Magazine. May 7, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
^ ^a ^b DeVille, Chris (July 23, 2024). "Wand 'Vertigo' Album Review". Album Of The Week. Stereogum. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2024.

External links

Vertigo at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
Page from Drag City

[sg1-1] Breihan, Tom (May 7, 2024). "Wand Announce New Album". Stereogum. Retrieved July 28, 2024.

[MC-2] "Vertigo by Wand Review". Metacritic. Retrieved July 28, 2024.

[AM-3] Thomas, Fred. "Vertigo - Wand". AllMusic. Retrieved July 28, 2024.

[utr-4] Gardner, Daniel (July 25, 2024). "Wand: Vertigo (Drag City) - Review". Under the Radar. Retrieved July 28, 2024.

[bvlive-5] Pearis, Bill (July 19, 2024). "Wand previewed new album 'Vertigo' at Bowery Ballroom". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved July 23, 2024.

[glidesmile-6] "Wand Returns with Ambitious New Album 'Vertigo' Out 7/26 – Shares Crushing New Single "Smile"". News. Glide Magazine. May 7, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.

[sg-7] DeVille, Chris (July 23, 2024). "Wand 'Vertigo' Album Review". Album Of The Week. Stereogum. Retrieved July 23, 2024.

[ac_UKDigital_-8] "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2024.

[ac_UKIndependent_-9] "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2024.

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